09 DECEMBER 2016

MacKinnon Outscores Flannigan In Queensland

By Cody Kaye: New Zealand’s Daniel MacKinnon won the WBO Oriental Light Heavyweight Title at the Greek Club in Queensland, Australia on Thursday night, outpointing heavily favoured Australian Mark Flannigan over 12 bruising rounds. Mackinnon, who entered the ring after a seven month lay off, showed no signs of any ring rust as he dominated his more fancied opponent.

Despite boasting an 11 centimetre height advantage and a 12 centimetre reach advantage, Flannagan was unable to keep the wily Kiwi at bay, and appeared genuinely unsure of how to proceed throughout the majority of the fight. A slick looking Mackinnon had little trouble picking off the Australian’s power punches, before being caught and dropped by a beautiful right hook in round 6. Mackinnon was quick to recover though, going on to win a split decision by scores of 116-111, 112-115 and 116-111.

That fight was overshadowed, however, by the semi main event between Aussie fighters Shannon King and David Galvin. Fighting for the vacant Australian light middleweight title, Galvin came out swinging and quite simply didn’t stop, connecting with power punches and just about everything else he threw. King began complaining of what was believed to be a ruptured left ear drum in the fourth round, and was visibly wincing in pain throughout the fight - boxing with one hand on several occasions, as he used his left to protect the ear. King continued to battle on, however, loading up with overhand rights as he went wildly searching for a knock out. His persistence, heart and courage paid off in the ninth round, when he bombed Galvin with an overhand right. A perfectly placed jab was enough to drop a stunned Galvin, who made the count on unsteady legs, only to have referee Phil Austin call a stop to the fight seconds later.

The victory will surely be one King never forgets, given he hadn’t won a single round prior to the knock out.

Earlier in the night, Frenchman Yoann Portailler claimed an impressive fourth round TKO victory over Australia’s Brett William Smith in a lightweight contest. Portailler was a class above the Australian, using his superior foot work and speed to wonderful effect. Smith’s corner having no choice but to throw the towel in midway through the fourth round.